Mō te tūranga
About the role
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Specialisations
Education & Support roles | Officers & Management
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Entry type
Officer entry
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Under training
$86,092
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Location
Auckland
A Legal Officers career is distinguished from other law careers by the broad areas of practice and the opportunity to advise on matters which are not ordinarily available outside of defence, security and intelligence organisations. Legal Officers often experience an enduring sense of purpose attached to the work they do and are rewarded with the knowledge that their contribution has had a direct and valued influence on matters important to New Zealand. Legal Officers are uniformed members of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and will hold rank in either the Navy, Army or Air Force. The Defence Legal Service is made up of officers from all three services and Legal Officers will advise across all three services regardless of their chosen service.
Accepting Applications
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Junior Officer Common Training 27-1, starts Apply by 03 May 2026
Apply Now
Requirements
Basics
- Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements
- Pass an Officer Selection Board
Education
Minimum: You must have completed a Bachelor of Laws (LLB). Applicants in their final year of study are encouraged to apply.
Desirable: Completion of Professional Legal Studies and having been admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, as well as some form of post-admission experience, will make you a competitive applicant.
Fitness & Medical
Citizenship
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the SV security clearance required for this trade. You must be free of any criminal convictions for the previous two years.
Period of Service
There is no requirement for you to stay in the NZDF for any length of time if you have already completed your Legal Professional Studies or you conduct these fully funded but part-time.
If you complete your Legal Professional Studies fully funded and full time, you’ll be required to spend another two years in the Air Force.
We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.
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Job on Base
As a Legal Officer in the NZDF, you will be a part of a generalist practice and there is no other legal role in government that cover the breadth and depth of practice. The career of a Legal Officer will vary greatly depending on what appointment you hold across three areas of law (operational, resources, and personnel). You will move frequently among these areas throughout your career and become an expert in all. Subject areas in which you can practice are:
- International and domestic law applicable to the operations of armed forces
- Assistance to the Civil Power
- Operational planning
- Public law alongside central government partners
- Law relating to emerging technologies
- Risk management
- Health and safety
- Resource management
- Corporate governance
- Contract
- Human rights and privacy
- Military service and civilian employment
- Criminal law through the Military Justice System
From time to time you will be required to appear for the Crown in the Court Martial of New Zealand or other courts and tribunals, such as the Summary Appeal Court of New Zealand or a coroner’s inquest.
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Job on Deployment
Whether working in Task Group Headquarters, in the field, or within a fleet of naval ships, Legal Officers deploy with other elements of the NZDF on exercises and operations. As a Legal Officer in these environments, you will be expected to provide legal advice on the application of:
- Law of armed conflict
- Rules of engagement
- Law of the sea
- International Law generally (including international treaties)
- The military justice system
Career progression and training
01Basic Training
Basic Training
Junior Officer Common Training (JOCT)
(24 weeks) Location: Devonport Naval Base
The objective of JOCT is to provide you with the core skills of military, mariner, and leadership to be an effective Officer in the Navy. The course is completed in two phases of training that train key areas of development.
Phase 1 – Introduction
This phase focuses on ‘followership’ and teamwork. Trainees are instructed in basic service knowledge, discipline, parade, and kit preparation. Physical Training will be conducted at all times throughout training to develop a high level of physical and mental fitness that promotes morale, good health, and good habits. This phase will cover various topics including:
- Physical Fitness
- Service Knowledge
- Service Discipline
- Introduction to the Leadership Development Framework
- Damage Control Training
- Weapons Training
- First Aid
- Basic seamanship training
- Moving to advanced application
Phase 2 – Fit for Sea
The second phase of training will focus on attributes of being in the Navy in preparation for operational service at sea. Trainees will be taught about the roles and responsibilities on board an RNZN ship. Trainees will also spend time ashore conducting academic and leadership training to further develop as a Naval Officer. This phase will cover various topics including:
- Sea survival
- Ship familiarisation
- Leadership training
- Communications skills
- Defence and Strategic Studies
02Job Training
Job Training
As a junior Legal Officer, specialist training is provided as appropriate, most of which is conducted in-house. You may be given the opportunity to develop your advocacy skills by appearing as junior counsel in the Court Martial and the Summary Appeal Court, and may have the opportunity to participate in specialist litigation training.
You will be required to conduct training designed to complement your appointment and prepare you for military service, including the potential to deploy on operations.
03Ongoing Training
Ongoing Training
Throughout your career you will have the opportunity to attend courses, conferences and exercises within New Zealand and overseas.
Legal Officers will frequently travel overseas to consult with partner nations, conduct military exercises, and attend legal military centric courses. You will be encouraged to pursue relevant postgraduate study opportunities. The experience and expertise developed throughout your career will be held in high regard.
04Career Progression
Career Progression
The majority of your career as a Legal Advisor will be spent in a tri-service environment. This means that Legal Officers often spend their careers at various defence establishments and your work colleagues will be Army, Navy, Air Force and Civilian.
There are periodic opportunities for exchanges with military lawyers in Australia, Canada and the UK, as well as occasional overseas training opportunities in areas such as the law of armed conflict.
Following successful completion of the Initial Training, you will typically be promoted to Flying Officer and posted to one of the NZDF legal offices for on-the-job training as a military lawyer. These offices are located in Auckland, Waiouru, Palmerston North, Wellington and Burnham. You can expect to be posted to other junior appointments in other NZDF establishments in the early stages of your career.
Benefits & allowances
Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.
In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:
- Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
- Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
- Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
- Opportunities to travel
- Free and subsidised medical and dental care
- Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
- Subsidised insurance cover
Salary & benefits
Specific remuneration arrangements can, in certain cases, be tailored in respect of practitioners with experience in relevant legal specialties. As you become more experienced in the military and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, your salary will rise accordingly.
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Under training
$86,092
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Future potential earnings
$140,784
Be Prepared
Am I fit enough?
If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.
Medical & Fitness
The application process
Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.
Application process
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